Ever unfazed by the fickle winds of mainstream music, the Compost Mountain Boys have been grinding out NorCal-tinged bluegrass for over 20 years. They're more of an Humboldt institution than a string band.

Would-be molecular biologist Rob Drabkin brought his easy laugh and gravelly voice to the KHUM studio for a quick chat about college ambition, what songs not to cover, and why he turned his back on cutting-edge science.

This recently-electrocuted singer, his broken-toed fiddle player, and their healthy bassist hobbled into the studio for an illuminating chat about living in an artist community, how to not get shocked, and what its like falling in a ravine in Minnesota.

Oliver Wood (King Johnson) and Chris Wood (Medeski, Martin, & Wood) perform live at Humbrews in front of an intimate audience. They talk about a questionably-named percussion instrument, their mother's youth as a refugee, and discovering Tom Petty late in life.

Motherlode is the gritty sound of a 10-piece funktrain. Inspired by 70's soundtrack funk, James Browns JB's, Afrobeat and more. This session, as you'll hear, sets two new KHUM records. One is 'Most Band Members Crammed In The Studio.' The other, we couldn't have predicted.

With a sound that pulls from the origins of hip hop, the alleyways of the Crescent City, the grease and grime of an old-school soul review, and all seven of the deadly sins, the Breaks have developed into a locomotive; slowly pumping across America, leaving crowds drenched with sweat and walking funny the next morning. Their new EP is Dancehall Freakin'.

North Carolina's Midtown Dickens waltzed onto Larry Trask's show and into KHUM's heart.* They performed that evening at the Arcata Playhouse and will hopefully return soon.
*That sentence is at least as cheesy as Midtown Dickens is awesome.

Torontonian songwriter Doug Paisley stopped by Larry Trask's show to hand off some fresh-picked Petrolia blueberries, talk about why he doesn't always introduce songs, and how much fun he had in Humboldt.

Andy Bean & the Councilman are but humble gentlemen playing music, two at-at-time. In this episode, they sing the praises of porkchops, offer tips for those who prefer the infamous "open-toed lifestyle", and make tennis references that we had to Google later.

Singer/songwriter/great guy Steve Poltz stopped by the Awkward Pause radio show on Tuesday, July 10 to share a few stories and sing a few songs. Especially check out the story about singing the National Anthem before a recent Giants game that happens at about 9:30 into the recording. You can see a (poorly recorded) Youtube video of the incident h e r e.

Our dear friends Taarka stopped by the KHUM studio on Friday and tore it up as only Taarka can do. The lineup included special guest Taarkan, Grant Gordy, who, among other things, plays guitar for the David Grisman Quintet.

When's the last time a comedian/storyteller/NPR contributor/sleepwalker was in Arcata? Never, you say? Are you sure? Like, really sure? How can you even know that?
Mike Birbiglia will be at the Van Duzer on Earth Day, April 22nd (get tickets) performing his one-man show, My Girlfriend's Boyfriend.
SPOILERS:
He spoke with Mike Dronkers about:
What Mike Birbiglia will autograph (anything)
How Mike Birbiglia interviews a great interviewer (ask Conan for help)
Who spoiled the ending of his show (Mike Birbiglia)

SoCal's Growlers stopped by Larry Trask's Afternoon Delig...actually, Awkward Pause radio show on Leap Day and totally knocked it out of something. Much like Martha Washington, The Growlers are one hip, hip, hip lady (except instead of "lady", substitute "band")

Partially famous and wholly talented ex-Humboldter Ivan Rosenberg performed live on Mike Dronkers' program Friday, February 24th. In addition to decidedly non-shreddy acoustic music, Rosenberg talks about his time as a Humboldt Ultimate Frisbee athlete, how Jimmy Buffett got him to Montana, and why it's OK to zone out to his music.
Chris Coole joins him to play banjo and guitar, while overcoming a past youth with Neil Diamond records and Andy Griffith reruns.
For over a decade, Ivan Rosenberg has been making ‘boutique’ recordings of personable, expressive acoustic music on Dobro and clawhammer banjo.
Millions have heard his original songs playing in the background of over 250 television programs including The Daily Show, Oprah, and the Emmy-nominated documentary Libby, Montana.

Two of Humboldt's reigning jazz specialists play the music of Django Reinhardt and discuss his relationship with dinosaurs, paper flowers, and fingers.
In celebration of what would never have been Reinhardt's 102nd birthday, Bon Swing plus special guests perform Saturday night at the Westhaven Center For The Arts.

The Trouble played live on Mike Dronkers' program, Wednesday, January 11th, 2012. The Trouble is Mark Jeffares on lead vocals and guitar, Chris Parreira on rhythm guitar, Jeff Krider on bass, and Sam Kaplan-Good on drums.
They play at Humbrews on Saturday night with Small Axe and 100-Watt Mind.

Born and raised in New York City's East Village, Jeffrey Lewis is truly a cult folk hero. He tours the world with his seemingly stream-of-consciousness songs, but almost nobody knows who he is.
This recording comes from his appearance on You & Meme, December 6th, 2011.

It's not classical. It's not celtic. It's not bluegrass. What is it?
Raised in Burnt Ranch, California, Tashina and Tristan Clarridge have long wowed local music fans from the Blue Lake Fiddle Festival to busking at Wildberries.
Now based in Boston and with hammered dulcimer prodigy Simon Chrisman, the Bee Eaters share company with the likes of Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Natalie MacMaster, and other heavy hitters in the new American string movement.

Mason Jennings sings about California and talks about his mantra, getting yelled at on stage, and how to extract magic from Jason Schwartzman.
Recorded/webcast live from the Karshner Lounge at Humboldt State University 10/1/11. Watch the entire show here: http://upstage-live.com/mason-jennings-live/.

Portland's Shook Twins trade songs with tourmate John Craigie from San Francisco. Will the Shooks ever eat the acid they sing of? Will John Craigie learn that people also use Skype with clothes on? Will host Mike Dronkers remember the bassist's name?

Aaron Moreland's dense and primitive guitar grooves combined with Dustin Arbuckle's raspy vocals and edgy harmonica fire up their earthy, rural blues. They performed live on Larry Trask's programme. Their new CD "Just A Dream" features Steve Cropper.

Born in Ethiopia, raised in the U.S. and nurtured by San Francisco’s richly diverse arts scene, this acclaimed singer embodies worlds. With a jazz backbone and a singer/songwriter's heart, she talks about Yale, pizza, and Ethiopian hip-hop space opera.
Featuring Darrell Green on drums, Darren Johnston on trumpet, & Evan Flory-Barnes on bass.

On Tuesday, Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside visited the KHUM studio. The night before, they played two encores to a full house at Humbrews.
The band hasn't played Humboldt since opening for the Avett Brothers in 2009. Since then, her music has joyfully tumbled out of KHUM's studio, car windows throughout Arcata, and David Letterman's PA system.

Jill Andrews was in the critically-acclaimed Everybody Fields until going solo a few years ago. Her new album, "The Mirror" mixes light and dark effortlessly. She performed on Mike Dronkers' show on Tuesday, July 13th, 2011.

Hailing from the beaches of southern California and bringing a sound to match, the Mike Pinto Band performed in the KHUM studio July 7th, 2011.
Jambalaya-bound with almost no sleep and the biggest bass amp we've ever put a mic in front of, MPB played a great set.